Additional Information:

Any person or entity conducting a livestock sale that is not affiliated with a registered market must apply for an Association or Test Station Sale Permit. The application must be received at least 60 days prior to the scheduled sale. No application fee is required when applying for a Livestock Sale Permit.

Any person or entity affiliated with a registered market and conducting a livestock sale through a market utilizing that markets custodial account and license, but at a different location other than the market, must apply for an Off-Premise Sale Permit. The application must be received at least 60 days prior to the scheduled sale. No application fee is required when applying for a Livestock Sale Permit.

The person or entity conducting the sale will need to contact the District Livestock Investigator for the region/county which the sale will take place and arrange to have a brand inspector on site for the sale. A list of District Investigators and Inspectors can be found on the Department of Livestock website: Find a Brand Inspector (mt.gov)

Sale type definitions:

Off-Premise Sale: A livestock sale conducted through a market utilizing their custodial account and license, but at a different location other than the market.

Association Sale: A livestock sale with three (3) or more consignors.

Test Station Sale: A livestock sale with three (3) or more consignors held at a place where livestock is taken to measure rates of gain under uniform feeding conditions when that place is not owned by the owner of the livestock.

Requirements at the time of application or to be provided to Dept of Livestock prior to the start of a sale:

  • A List of all Consignors
  • All Fees and Tariffs imposed on Consignors to the sale and a copy of the All Rules of the Sale including Breed Registration Requirements and Terms and Conditions.
  • A Custodial Account held in a Montana domiciled bank
  • If sale type is an Off-Premise Sale - A copy of the bond registered with USDA Packers & Stockyards Program (contact Vanette Stewart at
  • 375-4241 or by email: Vanette.L.Stewart@ams.usda.gov
  • Upon request, if using a Management Firm, a copy of the current financial statement for the Management Firm.

Refer to ARM 32.15.702 PERMIT REQUIRED TO CONDUCT ASSOCIATION TEST STATION SALE-EXCEPTIONS

  1. A person desiring to conduct an association or test station sale after June 1, 1976, shall obtain prior approval from the board by submitting a completed application requesting a permit to conduct such a sale. Application forms are available from the department of livestock and must be submitted to the department at least 60 days prior to the date of the sale.
  2. Private production or dispersion sales with less than three guest consignors, 4H, future farmers of America sales do not require a permit under this sub-chapter.
  3. An association or test station sale conducted in or by a Montana licensed livestock auction market, when all sale proceeds are handled through the market's custodial account, is exempt from the provisions of these rules.
  4. Refer to ARM 32.15.703 CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED
  5. To obtain a permit to conduct an association or test station sale the following conditions must be agreed to and performed by the applicant:
  6. A custodial account must be established and all proceeds from the sale of livestock and cashed entry fees must be deposited therein to be disbursed to consignors after proper charges have been deducted;
  7. A list of the types of all charges which will or could be imposed on consignors and a description of all rules of the sale including breed registration requirements must be given to consignors at or before the time of consignment;
  8. If the sale is to be conducted by a management firm which will have access to the custodial account or otherwise handle proceeds of the sale the association or test station sponsoring the sale must require the management firm to secure a bond, in an amount set by the board, conditioned upon the prompt payment of sale proceeds to consignors to the sale. The bond must be obtained from a firm licensed to issue such bonds in Montana. The bond must be registered with the board;
  9. All consignors must be paid the full sale price of their livestock sold at the sale, less any proper charges, as soon as possible and not later than 30 days after the date of sale. When a consignor has failed to meet sale requirements regarding livestock registration or health of which he has been informed at or prior to the time of consignment, payment to him may be made after registration and health requirements have been met and thereafter be paid as soon as possible; and
  10. The person conducting the sale shall comply with all applicable statutes, rules and orders relating to animal health, brand inspection, and the movement of livestock.

Fees:

There is no application fee required when applying for a Livestock Sale Permit.

Dept of Livestock Sale Permits:

For additional information about livestock sale permits, contact the Dept of Livestock, Brands Enforcement Division at 406-444-9762 or by email dallas.kim@mt.gov

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